Blogs

"Sufjan Stevens' new album, Carrie & Lowell, is his best. This is a big claim, considering his career: 2003's Michigan, 2004's stripped-down Seven Swans, 2005's Illinois, and 2010's knotty electro-acoustic collection The Age of Adz. He's also had residencies at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, collaborated with rappers and the National, donned wings and paint-splattered dayglo costumes, and released Christmas albums. But none of those side projects were ultimately ever as interesting, or effective, as when Sufjan was just Sufjan, a guy with a guitar or piano, well-detailed lyrics, and a gorgeous whisper that could reach into a heartbreaking falsetto.

I have not yet listened to this album, so come with me on the journey!

Mostly West Coast cool jazz tonight!

Getting started with jazz: tonight’s program was selected for a listener new to jazz. These are all legendary performers, songs chosen for historic significance or as iconic examples of that artist’s work. From the 1930’s to the 1960’s: a sampling of mid-20th Century jazz tonight! Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington  *  Coleman Hawkins Orchestra  *  Count Basie  *  Thelonious Monk  *  Sidney Bechet  *  Miles Davis, Gerry Mulligan  *  Billie Holiday  *  Dave Brubeck  *  Charles Mingus  *  Ella Fitzgerald  *  John Coltrane  *  Sarah Vaughan  *  Chet Baker  *  Ramsey Lewis

Lighght (pronounced “light”) is Kishi Bashi’s second full-length album and it came out in May of ‘13. It’s an eclectic mix of music and – in a departure from my previous practice of playing concept albums about death and the meaning of life here on AotW – I have yet to figure out why all these songs work together so well. Tune in to find out exactly why my special guests chose the album for the show. We will be unwrapping and playing the vinyl!

Today lets explore a little bit of a mix in music - and how each genre influences the other and how they admire each other.

Hiya Radio Landers!  Join us for a special broadcast on the Golden Road of Live/Dead, the ground breaking improvisational masterpiece recorded live at the Fillmore West & the Avalon Ballroom in the Spring of 1969 by the Grateful Dead. The show will air live at 6:30 pm on March 27 and is also available for live streaming and subsequent archive listening at KDRT.org.

This album is still regarded by even the most dedicated fans of the band's sounds as a perfect representation of the Dead at their absolute peak in the late 1960's, and in total command of their ability to switch rhythms and change time signatures on the fly.  Included in the broadcast will be THE definitve version of "Dark Star", the incredible pairing of "St. Stephen/The Eleven" and what is perhaps Ron "Pig Pen" McKernan's best recorded performance.

It's an all Outlaw show! We love the Outlaws here on Dead Wax and last week I ran across a vinyl 10" EP from Shooter Jennnings: Don't Wait Up (for George). It's a tribute album to his family friend, George Jones. Shooter is the son of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter. Like Waylon, Shooter is making his music the way that he wants in the true spirit of Outlaw Country! On this EP, Shooter cover 3 Jones tunes and sings 2 original tracks. We'll play 3 songs from this excellent album, plus tracks from Billy Joe Shaver, Johnny Cash, Jamey Johnson, Townes Van Zandt, Willie, Ryan Bingham, and a host of other Outlaws! Tune in @5pm to get your Outlaw fix!

By Justin Cox

This album dropped right in the heart of my formative years. It was faster and grittier than Green Day (who was conquoring the world at the time) but maintained enough of those same pop sensibilities to hold the attention of my middle school self. I like it as much today as I did then, which can't be said for some of the other stuff I listened to at that time. (I'm looking at you, Offspring). Here’s some background on the album, via Wikipedia: